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UK, France mull social media bans for youth as debate rages
Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia's lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move.
China's Buddha artisans carve out a living from dying trade
In a dimly lit workshop in eastern China, craftsman Zhang measured and shaped a block of wood into a foot as dozens of half-completed life-sized Buddha statues looked on silently.
China's 2025 economic growth among slowest in decades
China's economy grew at one of the slowest rates in decades last year, according to official data released Monday, as officials struggle to overcome persistently low consumer spending and a debt crisis in the country's property sector.
Thousands march in US to back Iranian anti-government protesters
Thousands in the United States staged large demonstrations Sunday denouncing the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in the Islamic Republic.
China says economy grew 5% last year, among slowest in decades
China's economy expanded five percent in 2025, Beijing said Monday, one of its slowest rates of growth in decades as it struggles with persistently low consumer spending and a debt crisis in its property sector.
'It wasn't clean': Mother mourns son killed in US Maduro assault
As the first explosions rocked his military base in Caracas, 18-year-old Saul Pereira Martinez sent his mother a simple message: "I love you. It has begun."
Surging billionaire wealth a political threat, Oxfam warns as Davos opens
The collective wealth of the planet's billionaires soared to a record level in 2025, charity Oxfam reported Monday, warning of "highly dangerous" political consequences as the global elite gathers for the World Economic Forum.
'Bring it on': UK's Labour readies for EU reset fight
Britain's so-called Brexit wars dominated parliament for years. Now the Labour government is bracing for new battles as it eyes legislation to move closer to the European Union.
Trump threatens Europe with tariffs over Greenland as protesters rally
US President Donald Trump on Saturday escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved.
Greenland protesters tell Trump to keep US hands off Arctic island
Thousands of people demonstrated in the capital of Greenland on Saturday against President Donald Trump's plans for the US to annex the Danish autonomous territory.
China bids to host secretariat of new high seas treaty
China on Friday proposed to host the secretariat of a new treaty governing the high seas, a surprise bid that underscores Beijing's desire to have greater influence over global environmental governance.
Milan menswear fashion week heads to the slopes
Milan's menswear fashion week began on Friday, with very wintry, sporty shows from Ralph Lauren and Dsquared2.
OpenAI introducing ads to ChatGPT
OpenAI announced Thursday it will begin testing advertisements on ChatGPT in the coming weeks, as the wildly popular artificial intelligence chatbot seeks to increase revenue to cover its soaring costs.
Russian inflation drops sharply in 2025
Russian annual inflation fell sharply in 2025, data from the state statistics agency showed on Friday, as central bank efforts to tame price growth appeared to bear fruit.
Trump threatens tariffs on countries that don't back Greenland takeover plan
US President Donald Trump said Friday he may impose trade tariffs on countries that don't support his plans to take over Greenland, part of the territory of NATO ally Denmark.
France PM to pass budget without a vote
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was on Friday desperately planning how to survive a likely no-confidence vote if he forces a budget into law without parliament's approval.
US congress members visit Denmark to support Greenland
A bipartisan US Congress delegation began a visit to Copenhagen on Friday to voice support for Denmark and Greenland after US President Donald Trump threatened to take over the Arctic island, an autonomous Danish territory.
US congress members in Denmark in support of Greenland
A US bipartisan congressional delegation kicked off a visit to Copenhagen on Friday to express support for Denmark and Greenland after President Donald Trump's threats to take over the Arctic island.
Iran protest movement subsides in face of 'brutal' crackdown
The protest movement in Iran has subsided after a crackdown that has killed thousands under an internet blackout, monitors said Friday, one week after the start of the biggest protests in years challenging the Islamic republic's theocratic system.
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias says abuse allegations 'absolutely false'
Spain's veteran singer and cultural icon Julio Iglesias on Friday rejected allegations of abuse lodged against him by two women ex-employees, in a case that has dominated headlines.
Malnutrition having 'harrowing' impact on Afghan women: WFP
A worsening malnutrition crisis is having dire effects on women and girls in Afghanistan who are failed by the international community, the World Food Programme's top official in the country told AFP.
US strikes deal with Taiwan to cut tariffs, boost chip investment
Taiwan vowed Friday to remain the world's "most important" AI chipmaker, after reaching a trade deal with the United States that will reduce tariffs on the island's shipments and increase Taiwanese investment on US soil.
China's 2025 economic growth likely slowest in decades: analysts
China's economy likely grew last year at its weakest rate in three decades, outside of the pandemic, according to an AFP survey of analysts ahead of official data on Monday.
Libyan filmmaker fights for cinema revival
Mouayed Zabtia shoots most scenes for his latest movie in a studio he built at his Tripoli home. For the filmmaker, it is one way to overcome the obstacles he faces in a country where cinema once nearly vanished.
Afghan man goes on trial over deadly Munich car-ramming
An Afghan man goes on trial in Germany on Friday accused of ramming a car into a crowd in Munich last year, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother and injuring dozens.
As Trump turns screws, how long can Europe play nice?
One headspinning year down, three more to go.
Venezuelan interim leader vows oil sector reform after Maduro ouster
Venezuela's interim president on Thursday announced pending legal reforms to the country's critical fossil fuel sector, as she seeks to recalibrate ties with Washington following the US military ouster of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.
Twenty-six charged in latest basketball gambling scandal
Twenty-six people have been charged with fixing US college and Chinese professional basketball games in an alleged transnational criminal conspiracy, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Venezuela's Machado meets Trump for 'positive' talks despite snub
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met Donald Trump Thursday for what the White House called "positive" talks -- despite the US president sidelining her and openly coveting her Nobel Peace Prize.
US says Iran halts executions as Gulf allies pull Trump back from strike
The United States on Thursday said Iran halted 800 executions of protesters under pressure from President Donald Trump, after Gulf allies appeared to pull him back from military action over Tehran's deadly crackdown on demonstrations.
Goldman Sachs' profits jump on hot merger market
Goldman Sachs' quarterly profits jumped on robust merger activity as clients seize a "window" of opportunity during the Trump administration, bank officials said Thursday.
Venezuela's sidelined Machado arrives at White House for Trump talks
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado arrived at the White House on Thursday for talks with US President Donald Trump, who has sidelined her since toppling Nicolas Maduro -- and who openly covets her Nobel Peace Prize.